COLCHESTER GLADIATORS 15

CAMBRIDGESHIRE CATS 12

BAFA National League SFC 1 East

COLCHESTER Gladiators extended their perfect start to the 2018 campaign by narrowly edging out Cambridgeshire Cats, at the Garrison.

The hosts scoring 15 unanswered points in the second half, to turn over a two-score deficit at half-time.

Gladiators head coach Luke Box said: “The performance was not on a par with what we aspire to.

"But the fact that the senior players took on the challenge and turned the scoreline upside down in the second half is testament to the players and coaches who work so hard.

"Fifteen unanswered points is obviously excellent but the defensive shutout in the second half and the constant harassment of the opposing quarterback is one of the most pleasing sights for a coach.

"We’ve got plenty to work on over the coming weeks and what’s becoming very clear is that, like last year, there’ll be no easy games in this division so we’ll have to continue to work hard to ensure we’re up to the challenge."

Gladiators started sluggishly, as the Cats’ offence took control on the ground.

The run game sliced through the Gladiators defence for a series of long gains before capping the opening drive with a ten-yard canter into the end zone, to take the lead.

The extra point failed however, leaving the Cats with a six-point lead early in the first quarter.

Defensive tackle Dan Jones forced his way through to sack the Cambridgeshire QB for a ten-yard loss.

The Gladiators then took to the air and on third down, QB Rob Wickham found brother Jake Wickham open for 20-yard gain.

Matt Richardson and Josh Milgate combined for another sack, as the porous Cats offensive line proved outmatched by their opposite numbers.

But a combination of completed passes and penalties against the home defence helped Cats enter into Gladiators territory.

Their running back broke free of the Gladiators’ tacklers and scampered 26 yards into the end zone for the second score, extending the visitors' lead to 12.

Seeking to make up for the earlier missed kick earlier, the visitors opted to go for two points.

But the play was telegraphed perfectly by linebacker Jon Perry who shot through the flailing blocks to cut down the runner short of the goalline.

The hosts used the interval to regroup and refocus, as they took the ball to begin the second half.

Jake Wickham followed up an impressive 30-yard kick return with a 37-yard reception to move the Gladiators deep into Cats territory.

A 21-yard pass to wide receiver Sam Gennings took the ball inside the Cats' five-yard line, before Gennings again caught Rob Wickham's pass to convert and half the lead.

Nathan Brown made no mistake with the kick, to reduce Gladiators' deficit to 12-7.

The hosts' defence were now on fine form as they shut down the Cats, who then saw the ensuing punt shanked out of bounds.

That offered the Gladiators excellent field position, with first and goal to open the drive.

Rookie receiver Ben Roper hauled in a pass to move the Gladiators to within one yard, before Tom Blum punched in the touchdown to take the lead.

With such a slender margin, head coach Box opted to go for two instead of kicking and QB Rob Wickham rushed in untouched to extend the lead to three points.

With what turned out to be the final play of the game, the Cambridgeshire offense saw an errant pass fly into the hands of defensive back Lewis Mews who claimed the interception that sealed the Gladiators' win.

The Gladiators' next game is a home match against the London Hornets on May 6, at 2.30pm.